Direct Cinema in North America (1958–1975)

1. Snowshoers congress filmed for *Les raquetteurs*

   Jan 1, 1958Labels: Les raquetteurs, Gilles Groulx, Michel Brault

   • TIFF CFE

2. NFB’s *Candid Eye* brings observational TV docs

   Oct 1, 1958Labels: Candid Eye, National Film, CBC

   • TIFF CFE

3. *Primary* documents Wisconsin Democratic primary

   Jan 1, 1960Labels: Primary, Robert Drew, John F

   • Primary film
   • New Yorker

4. *Chronicle of a Summer* sharpens vérité/direct debates

   Jan 1, 1961Labels: Chronicle of, Jean Rouch, Edgar Morin

   • Criterion
   • Britannica

5. Drew Associates release *The Chair* for television

   Jan 1, 1962Labels: The Chair, Drew Associates, Paul Crump

   • Drew Assoc

6. *Crisis* airs with unprecedented White House access

   Oct 28, 1963Labels: Crisis, Robert Drew, White House

   • Crisis film
   • New Yorker

7. *Meet Marlon Brando* premieres at New York Film Festival

   Jan 1, 1966Labels: Meet Marlon, Maysles Brothers, New York

   • Maysles Films

8. *Warrendale* faces broadcast refusal, wins at Cannes

   Jan 1, 1967Labels: Warrendale, Allan King, CBC

   • TIFF CFE
   • Warrendale

9. *Don’t Look Back* premieres in San Francisco

   May 17, 1967Labels: Don t, D A, Bob Dylan

   • AFI Catalog
   • Dont Look Back

10. *Titicut Follies* blocked ahead of NYFF screening

    Sep 27, 1967Labels: Titicut Follies, Frederick Wiseman, Bridgewater State

    • AFI Catalog
    • Titicut Follies

11. *High School* released as institutional direct cinema

    Nov 1, 1968Labels: High School, Frederick Wiseman, institutional film

    • BFI
    • High School

12. *Salesman* released as feature-length observational portrait

    Apr 18, 1969Labels: Salesman, Maysles Brothers, Charlotte Zwerin

    • Salesman
    • Maysles Films

13. *Woodstock* opens in wide-reaching theatrical release

    Mar 26, 1970Labels: Woodstock, Michael Wadleigh, concert film

    • Woodstock film

14. *Gimme Shelter* released documenting Altamont aftermath

    Dec 6, 1970Labels: Gimme Shelter, Maysles Brothers, Altamont

    • Maysles Center
    • Criterion

15. *Grey Gardens* premieres, extending direct cinema into 1975

    Jan 1, 1975Labels: Grey Gardens, Maysles Brothers, New York

    • Grey Gardens
    • History com